Caught With Drugs by a Park Ranger

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: so I'm 17 and from California two days ago my brother and my cousin went for a run this other guy we don't really know asked if he could come with us we said sure, after walking/jogging to the riverbed which is open to the public we crossed a area which seems part of the riverbed once we got past that area the park rangers called my brother and cousin over I was further ahead and had headphones on so I couldn't hear them calling me but the park ranger sent my cousin to call me as soon as he did I went with the officer, I forgot to mention that I was carrying a small sport bag which belonged to the guy we barely know only thing that was in the bag that I knew of was my waterbottle and my brothers but the guy took off as soon as he saw me going to the officer he took some stuff from the bag and left the bag there with stuff still in it, so once the officers started talking to me they told me to pick up the bag and open it I said but its not mine and one officer said it dosent matter just open it then told me to give it to him which I did he pulled out a pair of jeans, my water bottle, and a black groceries bag that had stuff in it I don't know what was in it all he said is there was a pipe and crumbs of weed in a container, they never went after the guy that took off and told my brother and cousin to leave but then started asking me questions like why didn't I stop when they called me I said because I was listening to music and for some reason that got him mad then he asked if it wasn't my bag why was I carrying it I said the truth which was because the other guy that took off asked if we wanted to

That story is weak and not likely to sway a judge or jury.

What code section(s) have you been charged with violating?

I got a pc 308 (b) what is the usual punishment in California?

Sounds like you are the bag man. Hasn't anyone told you never to accept bags form strangers?

Quote:

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(b) Every person under the age of 18 years who purchases, receives, or possesses any tobacco, cigarette, or cigarette papers,
or any other preparation of tobacco, or any other instrument or paraphernalia that is designed for the smoking of tobacco, products
prepared from tobacco, or any controlled substance shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of seventy - five dollars ($75) or 30
hours of community service work.

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You were charged with possession of tobacco products.

http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/308.html

So is the fine $200 or $75 I'm confused and thanks for your help

That will depend on how it is charged. Typically you will face a fine of $75, and possibly a tobacco education course as well. That fine can be more than double that when you add the other fees and assessments, and your parents will have to attend court with you.

Like what other fees so will they charge me with something that's not on the citation because on it it only says pc 308 (b) and is court mandatory because on the back of the citation it says if I get a letter in the mail with the amount I have to pay I just go and pay it and that's it or is that rare that you only get the letter and no court

They are not going to allow a minor child pay a fine for unlawful posession of tobacco without parental involvement.

That would defeat the whole purpose.

So court is a must?